Impact of the Hermetic Blockade on the Gaza Strip

Field Update

24 August 2006

Situation of Gaza Strip Border Crossings

(1-24 August 2006)

The situation of the Gaza Strip border crossings remained generally closed during the period covered by this report. The exceptions to this are some partial openings to allow the entry of essential food stuffs, medical supplies, and other necessities into the Gaza Strip. The closure of the crossings and complete blockade led to an increase in the poverty and unemployment rates. Nearly 70% of the families in the Gaza Strip are under the poverty line, and unemployment is at 55%. Furthermore, the blockade violates civilians’ right to freedom of movement. In addition, it has adversely affecting the flow of food and medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials, and raw materials for various economic sectors. The blockade also prevented the export of agricultural and industrial goods from the Gaza Strip. This blockade has had unprecedented catastrophic impact on the living conditions of the civilian population.

The most notable developments regarding Gaza Strip border crossings during the period covered by the report are:

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing:

This crossing was completely closed during the report period. The number of closure days during the report period was 24 days of complete closure. The only exceptions are international diplomats. International workers, staff of international organizations, and international journalists require prior coordination with the Israeli Liaison Office at the crossing to move to and from the Gaza Strip. As to humanitarian cases, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) allows the passage of 4-6 patients daily for treatment in Israeli and West Bank hospitals. These patients are forced to wait for hours at the crossing to undergo complex passage and security procedures. They are thoroughly search in a humiliating. Patients are forced to pay additional financial expenses to rent Israeli ambulances to transport them from the crossing to hospitals since Palestinian ambulances are barred from transporting patients. It is noted that the number of patients passing through the crossing has decreased from 50 patients daily three months ago and 20 patients a day a month ago.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing:

This crossing was completely closed for 12 days and partially closed for 12 days. Most of the time, the crossing mostly worked to allow imports. IOF only allowed 19 containers of exports (canned food, biscuits, and food products) to the West Bank and Israel on 6, 7 August 2006.

Nahal Oz Crossing:

This crossing is for fuel imports for the Gaza Strip. It has worked well below capacity during the report period, which included 6 days of complete closure. During the report period, the crossing allowed 1,512 tons of benzene; 7,726 tons of kerosine; and 3,378 tons of gasoline into the Strip. The fuel crisis persisted in the Gaza Strip after the IOF bombardment of the Gaza Power Plant. Key institutions, such as hospitals, rely fuel to run power generators during power outages.

Sofa Crossing:

This crossing was completely closed for construction materials during the report period. It was completely closed for 24 days. Due to the closure of Al-Mentar Crossing, IOF allowed the passage of some wheat through the crossing to private companies. However, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) requested that Israel allow wheat imports only through Al-Mental Crossing due to substandard means of bringing in wheat through Sofa Crossing.

Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Commercial Crossing:

This crossing has not been officially opened till now. It was opened exceptionally for a few hours to allow food stuff to be brought in from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.

Rafah International Crossing Point:

During the report period, this crossing was closed completely for 21 days. It was partially opened for 3 days for civilians traveling out of the Gaza Strip. The closure of Rafah Crossing has adversely affected thousands of Palestinian returnees forced to stay in Egypt, especially hundreds of patients who finished treatment trips in Egypt. There were more than 10,000 returnees at one stage; but approximately 7,000 were allowed to return during the partial openings of the crossing.

On Thursday, 10 August 2006, the crossing was opened from 10:00 – 12:45. The crossing was closed due to the withdrawal of the European monitors. Approximately 1,600 travelers left the Strip during this brief opening. And on Friday, 11 August 2006, the crossing was opened from 10:00 – 14:00. Approximately 2,600 travelers left the Strip during these 4 hours. The crossing was partially opened on Saturday, 19 August 2006. Several hundred travelers left the Strip and approximately 180 returned. The returnees were staying in Egypt without visas, and were staying in El-Arish airport.

The civilian population of the Gaza Strip is suffering from the closure of the Rafah Crossing. Hundreds of families living abroad are waiting for the crossing to open to return to the countries of residence after spending the summer in the Strip. These families are threatened of losing their residence visas and employment abroad. In addition, hundreds of patients, especially cancer and cardiac patients, are waiting for the crossing’s opening to travel for treatment in Egypt. Furthermore, hundreds of Gaza Strip students studying abroad are waiting for the opportunity to resume their education. It is noted that the work of governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as the private sector has been adversely affected, especially for those with activities abroad.

Rafah Commercial Crossing has been completely closed since the implementation of the unilateral disengagement plan on 12 September 2005.